Located in the scenic town of Goshen, CT and originally a working farm purchased in 1996 by George and Judy Motel, Sunset Meadow Farm, as it was known, raised beef cattle and hay. In 2003 Sunset Meadow Vineyards was established. Taking our years of farming experience and making the transition to grape growing and the producing of award-winning wines, the vineyards were planted on sloping, westerly and southern exposed fields, creating an ideal setting for prime sun exposure and constant airflow necessary for vine health. Today Sunset Meadow Vineyards is among New England’s largest producing vineyards.
Overlooking the captivating sunsets of the Litchfield Hills, the vineyards lie on 170 acres of rich and fertile soil which has a long tradition of agriculture dating back to the 1800’s. At Sunset Meadow Vineyards, we have a great deal of respect for the beauty of nature and the health of the environment. Therefore we pride ourselves on practicing sustainable methods of farming while growing and harvesting our grapes. The vines are hand-pruned, hand-harvested, and maintained with extreme precision by our staff.
Visitors can take a step into the past while enjoying the warm and friendly atmosphere of our historic tasting room. Our winery is located inside an 1800s German Bank Barn which has been used to support the properties numerous agricultural operations over the years. The tasting room has been crafted using estate antiques and original hand-hewed beams. The rich history and picturesque landscape of the beautiful Western Connecticut Highlands provides a breathtaking ambiance to all customers.
Sunset Meadow Vineyards was voted New England’s Best Family Winery by Yankee Magazine and has been featured in the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. 7 different wines have won Gold Medals including our 2010 Chardonnay which took home the Gold in the 2012 International Eastern Wine competition.
Wine List
- SMV Rum Barrel Aged Sunset Blush
- SMV Bourbon Barrel Aged St. Croix
- SMV Root 63 Café
- SMV Majestic
- SMV Sunset Orange
- SMV Country Porch Mango
- SMV Country Porch Pear
- SMV Country Porch Peach
- SMV Chardonnay
- SMV Riesling
- SMV Cayuga White
- SMV Vidal Blanc
- SMV Root 63 White
- SMV Rosé
- SMV Sunset Blush
- SMV Enchanted Apple
- SMV St. Croix
- SMV Merlot
- SMV New Dawn
- SMV Twisted Red
- SMV Shades
- SMV Root 63
- SMV Pyrrha’s Passion
- SMV Midnight Ice - Limited
- SMV Merlot Reserve - Limited
- SMV Twisted Red Reserve - Limited
- SMV Cabernet Franc Reserve - Limited
- SMV Big Lab Cab - Limited
- SMV St. Croix Reserve - Limited
Awards
- Named Top 101 Best Winery in America
Daily Meal 2017 - Best New England Winery
Yankee Magazine 2010 - Best Connecticut Wine Product
Connecticut Magazine 2015 - 2016 Award of Excellence Hospitality
Trip Advisor - 2019 Silver Medal
Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition
Cayuga White - 2019 Silver Medal
International East Meets West Wine Competition (CA)
Cayuga White - 2019 Double Gold, 94pts
International East Meets West Wine Competition (CA)
Shades - Silver Medal
2016 CT Specialty Food & Wine Competition
Chardonnay - Gold Medal
2012 International Eastern Wine Competition
Chardonnay - 12-time International Medal Winner, Including two Gold
2008 - 2016 International Eastern Wine Competition
Cayuga White - 7-time Winner, including Gold
Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Cayuga White - 3-time Medal Winner
International Eastern Wine Competition
Riesling - 2-time Bronze, Silver
2008, 2014, 2015 International Eastern Wine Competition
Vidal Blanc - Bronze Medal
2013, 2015, 2016 Amenti DelVino Wine Competition
Vidal Blanc - Bronze Medal
2010 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Vidal Blanc - Silver Medal
2009 Eastern States Wine Competition (Big E)
Vidal Blanc - 7-time International Medal Winner, including Gold
International Eastern Wine Competition
Rosé - 4-time International Medal Winner
2008-2012 International Eastern Wine Competition
Blustery Blend - Double Gold Medal
2015 International Eastern Wine Competition
Blustery Blend - Bronze Medal, Wine Product of the Year
2013-2016 CT Specialty Food Awards
Blustery Blend - 12-time International Medal Winner, including Gold
2008-2011 International Eastern Wine Competition
Sunset Blush - 2 Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal
2012-2016 CT Specialty Food Awards
Sunset Blush - Silver Medal
2015 Amenti DelVino Wine Competition
Enchanted Apple - Bronze Medal
2015 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Enchanted Apple - 2-time Gold Medal, Wine Product of the Year, Silver Medal
2012-2014 CT Specialty Food Competition
Midnight Ice - Silver Medal
2012 International Eastern Wine Competition
St. Croix - Gold, Silver, Bronze Medal
2012, 2013, 2016 CT Specialty Food Competition
St. Croix - Bronze Medal
2014 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
St. Croix - Bronze Medal
2010 Eastern States Wine Competition (Big E)
New Dawn - Silver, 2 Bronze Medal
2011, 2014, 2015 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
New Dawn - Silver Medal
2012-2016 CT Specialty Food Awards
New Dawn - Silver Medal
2015 Amenti DelVino Wine Competition
New Dawn - Gold, Silver Medal
2010, 2015 Amenti DelVino Wine Competition
New Dawn - 2 Silver, Bronze Medal
2010, 2011, 2015 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Merlot - Bronze Medal
2013, 2015 Amenti DelVino Wine Competition
Merlot - Bronze Medal
2010 Grand Harvest International Wine Competition
Merlot - Silver Medal
2019 Eastern States Wine Competition (Big E)
Twisted Red - Silver Medal
2009 Grand Harvest International Wine Competition
Twisted Red - Bronze Medal
2010, 2014 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Twisted Red - Silver, Bronze Medal
2015-2016 Amenti DelVino Wine Competition
Twisted Red - Silver, Gold Medal
2014, 2016 CT Specialty Food Awards
Root 63 - Bronze Medal
2014 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Root 63 - Bronze Medal
2016 Eastern States Wine Competition (Big E)
Root 63 - Gold Medal
2016 Amenti DelVino Wine Competition
Root 63 - Bronze Medal
2010 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Pyrrha’s Passion - Silver, Bronze, Silver Medal
2012, 2014, 2016 CT Specialty Food Competition
Pyrrha’s Passion - Silver Medal
2012 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Cabernet Franc Reserve
Facts
Est. 2001.
Owners: George and Judy Motel
Winemaker: George Motel IV
Spread across 170 acres.
Varietals: Cayuga White, Chardonnay, Riesling, Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Chardonel, Lemberger, Chamborcin, Frontenac, Landot, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, St. Croix, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Frontenac Gris, Concord
Largest Estate Wine Variety in Connecticut.